People all around us are... Burned Out

Last week, we went to Oregon for a family reunion/summer vacation. We flew into Medford and drove down to California to see the Redwoods and the beach, and spend the night before joining the other four siblings of my hubby and their kiddos. 

It wasn't my first time seeing the Redwoods. It wasn't even my second or third. And yet, I was struck by the majesty of the place. The strength and beauty of the trees was almost unbelievable. I stopped by one tree and took this shot, marveling at how tall and strong and unattainably beautiful it was. It was one of the largest we saw in this section of our hike, and smaller redwoods surrounded it. My kids and I paused and admired it. 

Imagine our surprise when we walked around the corner and discovered that it had been the victim of a fire. This image doesn't show it very well, but the inside of the tree had been burned out. in fact, I'd say almost 40% of the inside of this tree was entirely gone. 

I'm not an arborist. I know nothing about trees, but that thing was still alive. The burn had happened long enough past that more wildlife had begun to cling to the insides of the tree.

And it was still going-green healthy branches abounded on the front of it. From one side, that tree looked like the strongest, healthiest one in the bunch. 

After we reached the car, I couldn't seem to stop thinking about that tree. In this day and age of social media especially, but honestly ANY TIME, and ANYWHERE, people put on their best faces. They dress up and make-up and talk themselves up. They look strong and beautiful and healthy and ready to put the other people around them to shame. And in part, that's true. I'm surrounded by beautiful, hard working, kind, generous, smart, talented people. 

How many of us are burned out? And by what secret things? Demons from our pasts, baggage, mistakes, abuse? All of these things can leave people hollowed out inside. It has to be harder for that burned tree to keep making healthy branches, to stay upright in winds and rain. And yet, an outsider from the right perspective can't see that struggle. 

Your friends, your family, they may struggle with illness you don't see. It could be carefully concealed so it doesn't define them, or it could be an injury or illness that isn't visible because it's a mental illness. It could come and go. They could be dealing with siblings or parents or loved ones who are ill, or draining. They could have a child who's struggling. They could be dealing with failure to meet their own lofty goals. 

Or maybe things are just going wrong for them a lot. 

So often, there's a tendency to look at others and say, "My life is better because of x, y, and z." Or to look and say, "I could handle these things and my life was harder. Why can't they?" 

But no one's life is the same. No one's burdens are the same. Christ offered to carry everyone's burdens. It didn't matter to him if the people he aided were (perhaps) physically stronger (although I realize that might not be biologically possible, but you see my meaning), if they were richer, or if they had a better or easier childhood. He doesn't fault any of us for needing His help, even though we weren't asked to carry our crosses alone after living a perfect life. He doesn't hold any of us to His standard. He loves us where we are, how we are, exactly as we are. 

We all need to do a little better at judging less, not lashing out in anger or frustration, and being patient with the shortcomings of those around us. Even those who look strong, steady, shiny, sparkly or impressive. Because those very loved ones may be burned out, and it may be up to us to keep them going, to keep them turned toward the sunlight. When we send barbed words or messages, it chips away at their strength instead of bolstering it. 

My wish today is that we may all remember that we can't always see things from all sides. Have kindness, have patience, and have forgiveness in your heart. I know sometimes I'm burned out and need some grace, and I'm sure many of you do too. Let's offer that grace and a kind word whenever and however we can.